Thwaite Mills Watermill Museum
Located on an ‘island’ in Stourton, just south of the city of Leeds, the Thwaite Mills Watermill Museum sits between the River Aire and the Aire and Calder Navigation.
Thwaite Mills is one of the best last remaining examples in Britain of a water-powered mill.
Visitors will enjoy a unique opportunity to see water-powered industry of a bygone time up close; a working piece of history that’s still in use as it was centuries ago.
Thwaite House is a Georgian Grade II listed building, an historic home which has been preserved as a living artifact, one of the few such examples surviving from wartime Britain. Mill workers were able to live on the island self-sufficiently.
Attractions at Thwaite Mills
There are two working waterwheels at the Thwaite Mills Museum, demonstrating how our ancestors were dependent on them for the use of grain milling and other industrial uses.
Visitors are invited to see a fully restored engineer’s workshop, where all the parts of the milling machinery were repaired on-site in order to keep the water mills running continually, so as to insure a constant production of items.
There is the opportunity to see how the power of water can be used to turn solid rock into paint and putty, and how grain was milled by the effects of water driven friction.
You are given the chance to see the industrial processes of years gone by in the form of two unique working steam tools, the “Scotch Derrick” and the “Titian”, a steam crane and a tractor which are used in demonstrations.
Thwaite Mills also has extensive grounds featuring wildlife and a riverside sculpture walking trail.
Visiting Thwaite Mills Watermill Museum
Thwaite Mills has a gift shop offering souvenirs and commemorative memorabilia as well as a source of historical information.
Admission to Thwaite Mills costs £3.00 for Adults and £1.00 for Children.
There is also a Family rate of £5.00 which admits two adults and up to three children.
Thwaite Mills is open from 1.00pm to 5.00pm every Saturday and Sunday, all year round with the last admission at 3:15pm.
The Museum is open Tuesdays to Fridays during Leeds’ school holidays and on Bank Holidays, except Christmas day, Boxing Day and New Years day.
How to find Thwaite Mills Watermill Museum
Thwaite Mills is located 2 miles south of the Leeds city centre off the A61.
Thwaite Mills accepts group reservations or rental of the facility for private functions, pre-booked visits can be arranged for times when the Museum is closed.
Address
Thwaite Mills Watermill Museum
Thwaite Lane
Stourton
Leeds
LS10 1RP
Tel: 0113 276 2887